System for projecting light in variant colors



'Dec.13,1-932. H 1 1,891,216

SYSTEM FOR PROJEGTING LIGHT IN VARIANT COLORS Original Filed Jan. 24. 1930. 9 sheets-sheet 1 :wwntou [Ilinhin W H1111 511 1 Dec. 13, 1932.

Original Filed Jan. 24. 1930 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 :wumtw Elintnn W Hnugh c. w. HOUGH Dec. 13, 1932.

I SYSTEM FOR PROJECTING LIGHT IN VARIANT COLORS Original Filed Jan. 24. 1930 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 V/ lIIIE v /06 Jwomkw Elintun W Huugh Dec. 13, 1932 c, w, HOUGH 1,891,216

" SYSTEM FOR PROJECTING LIGHT IN VARIANT COLORS Original Filed Jan. 24, 1930 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 gwuentoc Elintun Hnugh Ded.1-3; 1932 c, w, HOUGH 1,891,216 SYSTEM FOR PROJECTING LIGHT IN VARIANT COLORS Original Filed Jan. 24. 1930 9 Sheets-$heet 5 gwwmtov Elintun W Hnugh D 3, c. w. HOUGH 1,891,215

SYSTEM FOR PROJECTIIiG LIGHT IN VARIANT COLORS originarfiiled Jan. 24 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 HEP. 17

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Dgc. 13, 1932. c. w. HOUGH A SYSTEM FOR PROJECTING LIGHT IN VARIANT COLORS Original Fil ed Jan. 24. 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 gwoanto o Fir Dec. 13, 1932. c, w, HOUGH 1,891,216

SYSTEM FOR PROJECTINGLIGHT IN VARIANT COLORS Original Filed Jan. 24. 1930 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Elintnn W Hnugh Patented Dec. 13, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLINTON W. HOU'GH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR -TO WIRED ItADIO, INC., 013

' NEW YORK, N. 'Y., A CORPORATION OF.DELAWARE I SYSTEM FOR PROJEC'IING LIGHT IN VARIANT COLORS Original application filed January 24, 1930, Serial No. 423,004. Divided and this application filed April 30, 1931'. Serial No. 533,940.

jector system in which the colors of a plurality of overlapping beams of light are automatically varied to produce upon a screen or objects either stationary or moving a great variety of colon combinations.

manual and automatic control a very great variety of color combinations.

Another ob ect conslsts in providing a projector system in which overlapping beams of light of variant colors are transmitted 33 through one or more pattern screens in motion or stationary to produce colored patterns of an infinite variet of color,'form, and relative intensities, whic may serve as designs for fabrics, wall paper, and the like.

A further object comprises producing a projector system wherein the intensities of a plurality of overlapping beams of light of variant colors are controlled in accordance with the tempo and volume of music or electrical currents of audio frequency.

I accomplish the above desirable features and effects by a novel projector system in which a plurality of light projectors are individually controlled, either manually or automatically, or in combination, to control the l d inte sit of the'li ht ro'ected (o Ors an n y g p 1 also employed in'the said projecting machine.

by each of such projectors in such manner as to produce beams of variant colored light overlapping in one of a plurality, or in a plurality of planes to produce an infinite variety Another object contemplated by my inven of color and form combinations and effects, and to give the effect of motion to the multicolored shadows of pattern screens or objects interposed between the projectors and a, screen upon which the light is projected.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the specification and in which like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the general arrangement of the apparatus employed in an embodiment of my invention, comprising,

a projection machine, a attern machine, an object supporting turnta 1e, and a screen.

- Fig. 2 isa horizontal sectional view alongv 1 the line 2 2 of Fig. 3 of the said projection machine.

Fig. 3. is a vertical sectional view'along the line 33 of Fig. 2..

Fig. 4 is a partial horizontal sectional view along line' 4r4: of "Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a partial vertical sectional view along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of an arrangementof keys and key levers employed in'the said projection machine.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view along the line 7-7 of Fig. 4. i

Fi'g.,8 is a vertical sectional view of an arrangement of certain mechanical elements of the said projection machine.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to the view shown in Fig. 8 but illustrating the same mechanical elements in different relative positions.

, Fig. 10 is a front elevationof a rotary color screen employed in the before mentioned projection machine.

Fig. 11 is a side elevation and partial sectional view of the-rotary color screen shown in Fig. 10. I

Fig. 12 is a front elevation of alight intercepting device employed in the said projection machine.

Fig. 13 is an elevation of a distorting lens Fig. 14 is a partial top plan view of the dis- I -torting lens shown in Fig. 13.

.ing 1, are

a An extended part kaleidoscopic tube employed in the said projection machine.

Fig. 16 is an end elevation of the kaleidoscopic tube shown in Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a sectional view of the pattern machine before mentioned and shown in Fig. 1.

ig. 18 is a diagrammatic representation of the electrical circuits and electrical apparatus as used in the embodiment of my invention described herewith.

Fig. 19 is a schematic representation of a method of light projection employed in my invention.

Fig. 20 is a schematic representation of an arrangement of projectors which is a part of my invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to Fig. 1, in the housing 1, which is'a part of the projection machine, means are disposed for projecting a plurality of variant colored beams of light on a screen 2. Interposed in the path of these beams there is provided a pattern machine 3, and an object supporting turntable 4, either, or both, of which may be used, at the option of the operator, to define and affect the variant colored light beams in a way such as tocause a great variety of different "shapes and shadows to'be cast upon the screen 2.

The housing 1 is mounted upon supporting members, there being four in all, one at each corner of the housing, three of these sup orting members 5 6, and 7 being shown in ig. 1. Centrally disposed between these supporting members, and beneath the housthree compartments 8, 9, and 10, which form a component part of the projection machine, and which contain, res ectively, a complete radio' receiving set wit 1 auxiliary sta es of audio frequency amplification, a comp ete reproducing phono ra h of the type which emplo s an electrica pick-u device for repro ucing sound recor mgs through the agency of a loud speaker, and a loud speaker which is common to both of the foregoing. These sound reproducing devices are rovided for the purpose of furnishing soun effects, principally music, to accompany sympathetic visual effects which are cast upon the screen pose of altering these visual effects in accordance with the rhythm and intensity of the,

sound effects in a manner hereinafter described.

11 of the housing 1 is provided on that side of the housing 1 which normally faces the operator. Positioned in this extended part 11 of the housing 1 is a keyboard 12 outwardly similar in construction to the keyboard to be found in an ordinary pianoforte. Positioned on the extended art 11 of the housing 1, and above the keyboard 12, is a remote control panel 13 for operating and controlling the radio broad- 2, and also for the purcast receiver contained in the-comfartm'ent 8. Also positioned upon the exten ed part 11 of the housing 1 are knobs 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 160 and 192 for operating controlling elements more'fully described later. Additional knobs 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43 for operating controlling elements are positioned upon the panel 24. Extending through apertures in the panel 24 are knobs 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 and 49 which are associated with. light beam projectors to be described later.

A shielding 50 is provided between the housing 1 and the pattern machine 3'and is constructed so as to completely enclose the path of the variant colored light beams and prevent extraneous light from being reflected from the pattern machine 3. Such extraneous reflected light has a tendency to dilate the irises of the observers eye and is therefore undesirable.

The object supporting turntable 4 essentially comprises a platform 51, a shaft 52, a worm 53, a worm gear 54, a shaft 55, a driving motor 56, and a mounting structure 57. The platform 51 is rigidly secured to one end of theshaft 52 as shown. The shaft'52 is mounted in a bearing member 58of the mounting structure '57, and also in a depression 59 in the mounting structure 57 so that the shaft 52 is freeto rotate therein. The worm gear '54 is rigidly secured to the shaft 52 in a position to engage withthe worm 53 which is ri idly mounted upon the shaft 55 extending rom the drivin motor 56. The driving structure'57; Rotation of the shaft 55 w' cause the worm 53 to rotate the shaft 52 by means of the worm gear 54, whereby the'platform 51' will be caused torotate. Objects placed upon the platform 51, in the path of the'varlant colored light beams, will revolve with the said pllatform andwill therefore intercept the lig t beams at variant angles and cause corresponding changes m the visual effects which are cast upon the screen 2.

The screen 2 is substantially aplane surface suitable for showing 1i ht projections to best advantage, anad is simi ar to screens employed in cinematographic projection. Supporting standards 60, 61, and 62 are rovided or the screen 2, the object supporting turntable 4, and the pattern mac inc 3, respectively. Cables 63 and 257 are provided between the housing 1 and a driving motor 258 in the pattern machine 3, and between the housing 1 and the driving motor 56 in the ob ject supporting turntable 4, respectively, so that the electrical circuits of the same may controlled from the housing 1.

In Fig. 2, disposedwithin a compartment 76 enclosed by four panels 67 68, 69, and 24, of the housing 1, are three rows of projectors positioned in parallel planes; pro ectors 66,

' plicity of description.

65, and 64 being the top projectors of each row, respectively, there being six projectors and 72, respectively, which revolve in the path of the light beam from each projector. Also disposed within the compartment 76 are three housings 73, 7 4, and 7 5 associated with I manually operated color screens.

In compartment 77, enclosed by the panels 67, 69, 24, and 79, are positioned means for actuating a distorting lens, more fully described later. l I

In compartment 78, enclosed by the panels 67, 68, 24, and 80, are positioned members associated with a kaleidoscopic projection arrangement more fully described later.

In Fig. 3, disposed within the compartment 76 are two projectors and 81 which are the end projectors, respectively, of two rows of projectors in parallel planes. The members 82 and 83, which are extended parts of projectors 66 and 81, respectively, are forked and pivotally mounted upon members 84 and 85 by means of rivets 86 and 87, in a manner such that there will always be sufii cient tension between the members 82 and 84, and the members 83 and 85, to hold the same, by friction, in any relative position in which they may be set. (See Fig.2.) The members 84 and 85 are also pivotally secured to the panels 88 and 89, by means of studs 90 and 91, washers 92 and 93,'and nuts 94 and 95, respectively, so that the members 84 and 85 may be partially rotated in parallel planes perpendicular to the plane of movement of the members 82 and 83. Such an arrangement, permitting adjustment of the projectors and corresponding adjustment of the direction of the light beams, is provided for each projector. Adjusting rods 96 and 97 are rigidly secured to the projectors 66 and 81, respectively, and have knobs 44 and 45 secured to their outward extremities. These adjusting rods 96 and 97 extend through ap-- ertures'in the-panel24 so that the projectors may be adjusted, for direction of beam projection, fromwithout the housing 1. Similar adjusting rods are provided for each projector.

Positioned in front of projector 81, in Fig, 3, and intercepting the path of the light beam projected from the same, is a housing 73 shown in section, which is one of three simi-lar housings 73, 74, and 75, and which contains an arrangement of manually controlled color screens. The housing 7 3 .is mounted in an aperture in the panel 89, so that the bottom of the housin 73 is open to mechanical elements beneath t e panel 89. Viewed from the top in Fig. 4, it will be seen that the housing 73 has two side members 98 and 102 which are slotted, as shown, to accommodate a. series of color screens 99, 100, and 101,

similar mechanical elements being'associated with each of the three housings 73, 74, and 75, more fully described later.

InFig. 3, positioned in frontof projectors 66 and 81, are rotary color screens 70 and 103,

substantially disks comprising sectors of transparent material, such as glass, which have been variantly colored to act as filters which will, in effect, pass only light of the same color as the filter.

white light is projected through one of the colored sectors of the rotary color' screen, and the rotary color screen is rotated in a manner such that successive colored sectors will intercept the light beam, the light beam, upon passing through the colored sectors, will be substantially of a series of colors c'or respectively. These rotary color screens are \Vhen a beam of i responding to those in the rotary color screen. In Fig. 10, the variantly colored sec-,

tors 104, 105, 106, and 107, of the rotary color screen 103, are.radially positioned about the hub 109 of a circular mounting frame 108. A hole 110 is provided in the center of the hub 109 for mounting upon a shaft. An additional colored sector 111 is positioned in a mounting sector 112 which is adapted to be rotated about an annular channel in the periphery of the hub 109. as shown in Fig. 11. An arm 114 is provided to one side of the member 113 which is an extension of thea position such that the arm 114 is in engagement with stop pin 115. If the mounting frame 108- is rotated clockwise, the

mounting sector 112, will also be rotated in the same direction. .A stopping member, if moved into the path of the projection 113 so that it comes into engagement therewith as the same is rotated, will stop mounting sector 112, but, due to the construction of the mounting sector 112 with reference to the hub 109, will permit the mounting frame 108 to continue to rotate until the arm 114 comes into engagement with the stop pin 116 when the mounting frame 108 will also come to a stop. However, the mounting sector 112 will now be in a position over the colored sector 107, and will be superimposed thereon, whereas there will be an opening in the mountin frame 108, indicated by t e dotted lines in ig. 10, and consequently, a beam of white light which is directed through this opening will not be intercepted by a color sector and will show white. All of the rotary color screens employed are of the same construction.

In Fig. 4, disposed within the compartment 76 are three projectors 81, 118, and 119, which are the bottom projectors of three rows of projectors in parallel planes, re-

spectively, of which the projectors 66, 65, and 64, in Fig. 2, are the top pro]ectors. Positioned in front of projectors 119, 118, and

81, are rotary color screens 121, 120, and

103, res ectively. Shafts 122, 123, and 124, upon w iich the rotary color screens 121, 120, and 103, are rigidly mounted, are positioned in bearing members 125, 126, and 127, respectively, and are free to rotate therein. Rigidly mounted upon the shaft 122 are three wheels 128, 129, 130, of the same size. A pu ey wheel 131, which is somewhat larger in diameter than pulley wheels 128, 129, and 130, is rigidly mounted upon the shaft 123. Another pulley wheel 132, somewhat lar er in diameter than pulley wheel 131, is rigidly mounted upon shaft 124. The rotary color screens 72, 71, and 70, shown'in Fig. 2, have shafts 139, 140, 141, bearing mountings 142, 143, 144, and ulleys 145 and 146, 147 and 148, respective y, similarly associated therewith' pulley wheel 133, in Fig. 2, corresponding to pulley wheel 130 in Fig. 4. Positioned in compartment 134, which is disposed directly beneath compartment 78, shown in Fig. 4, is a driving motor 135. Rigidly mounted upon the shaft 136 extending from the driving motor 135, are two pulley wheels 137 and 138. Belts 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154 are provided between the pulleys 137 and 130, 138 and 133, 129 and 132, 128 and 131, 145.and 148, 146 and 147, respectively.

These belts are preferably composed of helically wound wire which, in transmitting power from one pulley to another, will fric-' tionallyengage the peripheral channel of the pulle only when thecoeflicient of friction of tie belt is greater than the inertia of the pulley. Rotation of pulley wheels 137 and 138 by the driving motor 135 will cause a corresponding rotation of the pulleywheels 130 and 133, respectively, by means of the 'belts149 and 150. Pulley wheels 129 and 128, and pulley wheels 145and 146, being rigidly mounted on the same shafts which carry pulley wheels 130 and 133, respectively, will also rotate so as to cause pulley wheels 132 and'131, and pulley wheels 148 and 147, to rotate by means of the belts 151 and 152, and 153 and @154, respectively. Such rotation of the pulley wheels mounted upon the shafts 122, 123, 124, 139-, 140, and 141 will cause a corresponding rotation of their respective rotary color screens, so that the color sectors of the same will intercept the light beams from their associated projectors and cause a sequence of variant colored light beams to be projected. However, difference in the s1ze of the pulley wheels associated with the rotary color screens will cause a variation in the speed at which they will rotate, and a corresponding variation in the time which each rotary color screen will require for one rotation in the path of the light beams.

A shaft 155, in Fig. 3, is mounted in the bearing member 156 and is free to rotate therein. Rigidly secured to the shaft 155 is a worm gear 157 (see Fig. 4) Two stopping arms 158 and 159 are rigidly secured to the shaft 155 on either side of the worm gear 157 and positioned so that partial rotation of the shaft 155 will bring the stoppingarms 158 and 159 into engagement with the memher 113 of the mounting sector 112 associated with each of the rotary color screens 70, 71, 72, 103, 120, and 121 as the same are rotated. However, the stopping arms 158 and 159 are so shaped that upon being partially rotated by the shaft 155, they will come into engagement first, with members 113 associated with rotary color screens 71 and 120, second, with members 113 associated with rotary color screens and 103, and third, with members 113 associated with rotar color screens 72 and 121. A knob 160, in Fig. 4, mounted in the extended part 11 of the housing 1 so that it is free to rotate therein, is coupled to a flexible shaft 161 which is in turn coupled to an extended art of a worm 162 which is mounted in the caring member 156 so that it is free to rotate therein. Rotation of the knob- 160 will cause the worm 162 to rotate, by means of the flexible shaft 161, and the worm 162, being in engagement with the worm gear 157, will cause the same to move the stopping arms 158 and 159 in or out of engagement with the members 113 associated with the rotary color screens as the same are rotated.

' Inasmuch as the stopping arm 158 is positioned so that itis accessible to the top of rotary color screens 103, 120 and 121, and the stopping arm 159 is positioned so that it is accessible to the bottom of rotar color screen 70, 71, and 72, it is evident that the members 113 (see Fig. 10) associated with the said rotary color screens will be accessible for engagement with the stopping members 158 and 159 in the same relative positions.

If, while the rotary color screens are being normally rotated in a clock-wise direction by the driving motor 135 and periodically changing the color of light beams from their respective-projectors, it is desired to project beams of substantially white light, the knob 160 is rotated. Such rotation of the knob 160 will cause the stopping arms 158 and 159 to be slowly moved so that they will come into engagement with first, the members 113 associated with the rotary color screens 70 and 103, second, with members 11" associated with the rotary color screens 71 and 120, and third, with the members 113 associated with the rotary color screens 72 and 121, as the same are rotated. Such engagement of the members 113 associated with the said rotary color screens will cause the mounting sectors 112, associated with each of the said rotary color screens, and upon which the members 113 are positioned, to stop rotating. As these sector mountings 112 are stopped, the rotary color screens will also be stopped, in the order before mentioned, as the stop pins 116 associated with each rotary color screen are rotated into engagement with the arms 114 associated with the now stationar mounting sectors 112, and an opening in eac color screen, shown in Fig. 10, by dotted lines, will be presented beforeeach projector, while light beams originating from each pro ector Wlll ,pass through without being intercepted by. a color sector.

- screens are stopped, the belts, which normally frictionally engage with the pulleys associ 'ated with the color'scrcens, will slip, but, due

, to the order in which the rotary color screens color screens 70, 71, 103, and 120, until they -are stopped.

'When, as the stopping arms 158 and 159 finally stop the rotation of the rotary color screens 72 and 121 as above described, the shafts 139 and 122 and associated pulleys will be brought to rest and the belts 14-9 and 150 will slip thereon as they are driven by the driving motor 135. The

. driving motor 135 may then be shut down,

if desired, as hereinafter provided for. Starting the motor 135, and bringing the arms 158 and 159 out of engagement with the members 113 associated with the rotary color screens, by rotating the knob 160, will cause the rotary color screens to resume their normal rotation in the path of the projectors.

In Fig. 6, the keys 163, 164, and 165, of a.

group which forms a part of the keyboard 12, are shown as they are positioned with reference to their respective key levers 166, 167,

and 168. The entire keyboard 12, which is of the con'unonly used pianoforte type, is arranged into three groups of twelve keys cor-.

responding to the twelve keys comprising an octave on the pianofortc. eachgroup being,

arranged sim'larly to 6 so that the twelve keysof each group have twelve correspondin; key levers for actuating, respectively, mechanical elements, hereinafter described,

Then the rotary color associated with each of the color screen housings 73, 74, and 75.

In Fig. 7, a series of push rods 169, 170, and 171, are slidably positioned in the bottom of the housing 75, which is similar in construction to housing 73in Fig. 3, so that they transmit motion from the key levers 166, 167, and 168 to corresponding color screens slidablypositioned in slots in the side members 98 and 102 of the 'housin 75. These color screens are substantially lar shaped pieces of transparent material, such as glass, which have been variantly colored to act as filters which will, in eifect, pass only light of the same color as the filter.

Tat rectan ujector, as illustrated in Fig. 8, by color screen 99 which is shown in such raised. position. The push rod 169, the key lever 166, and the key 163, which are associated with the color screen 99, are shown in their actuated position. When any one of the group of keys of the keyboard '12 which are associated with the housing 7 5, is depressed, a corresponding color screen will be raised so as to intercept the 1. ght beam, from its associated projector and affect the color of the said beam. The

housings 7 3, 74, and 75 are all similar in construction, each housing containing twelve .color screens and associated mechanical elements to be operated by the three groups, or octaves, of keys of the keyboard 12, in a manner such as to intercept the light beams from the three projectors 119, 118, and 81, respectively. It is evident, then, that the light beams projected from the projectors 119, 118, and 81 will be intercepted by their' respective rotary color screens and, at the option of the operator, by one or more of the series of manually operated color screens disposed in front of each of the said projectors. In Fig. 3, a shutter 176 and a color screen 177, which are associated with each color screen housing, are shown pivotally mounted to" the top of the housing 73 between the side members 98 and 102,wh1ch are a part of each color screen housing. The shutter 17 6 is substantially a flat rectan ular shaped piece of an opaquematerial, suc as sheet metal, while the color screen 177 is a flat rectangular shaped piece of transparent material, such as glass, which has been colored to act as a filter, which will, in .efiect, pass only light of the same color as the filter. (See Fig. 4.) The shutter 17 6 and the color screen 177 are mounted in a manner such that in a normal wardly,

position at rest uponthe top surface of the ousing 73, the? will intercept the path of the light beam rom the assocated projector.

In Fig.4, positioned in front of the housing 75, and on the side members 98 and 102, are two bearing members 172 and 173, respectively. Slidably positioned in the bearing members 172 and 173 are push rods 174 and.

175, respectively. Referring to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the push rods 175 and 174 are positioned adjacent to the projecting ends of the shutter 176 and the color screen 177,

177 and the shutter 17 6 which is pivotally mounted superimposedupon the color screen 177, so that they will be in asposition such that they will not intercept the path of the li ht beam from the associated projector. Rlgidly secured to the lower extremity of the push rods 174 associated with each of the color screen housings, and beneath the hearing members 172 and 173 are the-transverse lift rods 178, which, upon being moved upwill correspondingly move the two push rods 174 associated with each of the 8 color screen housings 7 3, 74, and 75. Extending beneath the transverse lift rods .178, and adjacent thereto, are theprojecting ends of the key levers, of which the key levers 166 and 167 form a part of a group of key levers associated with the housing 75 m Fig. 8. As a transverse lift rod 178 is similarly associated with each of the housings 73, 74, and 75, it is evident then, that if any one, or more, of the keys of the keyboard 12, which are associated in groups of twelve keys with their respective color screen housings, be depressed, the transverse lift rod corresponding to the color screen housing with which the key depressed is associated will be moved upwardly with a corresponding movement of the shutter 176 and the color screen 177 associated therewith. It is evident then, that when a color screen disposed within any particular housing, such as color screen 99 in Fig. 8, be raised upwardly by a key lever, such as key lever 166, by means of t e depressing of a key, such as key 163, that the shutter 176 and the color screen 17 7 will also be simultaneously raised into an upward osition so that the same will not interfere with the movement of the said color screen 99, and will not intercept the path of the light beam from the associated projector.

Rigidly secured to the lower extremity of the push rods 175, associated with each of the ousings 73, 74, and 75, is a transverse lift rod 179 which extends across the front of the compartment 76, as shown in Fig. 4, and

.the arm 182 is pivotally secured, by 1 will, upon being moved upwardly, correspondingly move all of the push rods simultaneously. 'In Fig. 8, extending beneath the transverse lift rod 179, and adjacent thereto, is the projecting end of an arm 180 pivotally mounted upon the panel 69, by means of the pivot member 181, so that, upon being moved, it will raise-the transverse lift rod 179. Another arm 182 is pivotally mounted upon the panel 69, by means of the pivot members 183, as shown. One side of means of acoupling pin 184,to a coupling nk 18.), which is ivotally secured to one part of the arm 180 y means of the coupling pin 186. i

A similar arrangement of mechanical elements is positioned on panel 68, in Fig. 4;

arm 187, arm 188, and coupling link 189 cor responding to arm 180, arm 182, and coupling link 185, respectively. Disposed between the arm 182 and the arm 188, and pivotally secured to both, is a coupling rod 190 which, when moved, will cause the arms 182 and 188 to move accordingly. Rigidly secured to the coupling rod 190, at a point between the projectors 118 and 81, is a rod 191 which extends through the extended (part 11 of the housin 1, in which it is sli ably positioned, an

term nates in a knob 192. In Fig. 8, these mechanical elements are shown in a normal unactuated position. When the knob 192 and the rod 191 are pulled into an extended position, the coupling rod 190 will be correspondingl moved so as to make the intermediate meciianical elements move the transverse lift rod 179 into an upward position thereby raising the shutters 176 associated with each of the color screen housings as shown in Fig. 9. It is therefore evident that when the transverse lift rod 179 has raised all of the shutters 176, the color screens 17 7 will remain in a normal position upon the top'of the color screen housings, as shown, and intercept the path of the light beams from the associated projectors. However, when any of the colors screens 99, 100, 101, which are disposed within the housings 73, 74, and 75 are raised by their respective key levers the associated color screens 177 will also be simultaneously raised by the transverse lift rods 178, which are ad acent to the said key levers, so that the said color screens 177 will not interfere with the movement of the color screens 99, 100, and 191. The rod 191 and associated mechanical elements are arranged so that when the knob 192 is extended, the said mechanical elements 'will remain in the position in which they are 165 will return to their normal positions r so that effects other than pure white light lines are more widely spaced; whereas, relathrough tensions of associated helical springs indicated by the spring 193 in Fig. 8 and F ig. 9.

It will now be evident that, in addition to the color changes obtainable by rotating the rotary color screens 103, 120, and 121 in the path of the light beams from the projectors 81, 118, and 119, other color changes are to be obtained by using the keyboard 12 to manipulate the manually controlled color soreenscontained in the housings 73, 74, and 75. While the rotary color screens 103, 1-20, and 121, in Fig. 4, are rotating in the path of the light beams from the said projectors and producing a sequence of color changes, it will usually be desirable to have the knob 192 in an extended position so that the intermediate mechanical elements will cause the transverse lift rod 17 9 to raise the shutters 17 6 (see Fig. 9) associated with the manually operated color screen housings, so that the light beams may pass through the color screen housings. The color screens 177, still being in a position to intercept the light beams, will filter the said beams in accordance with the colors of the said screens. screens 177, associated with the three color screen housings 73, 74, and 75, are colored, respectively, light red, green, and blue-violet,

which, being the three primary colors, will' change the light beams'accordingly, and, when the said light beams are originall white, will change them in a manner suc that, upon convergence after leaving the said color screens, they will again producewhite light. The manually operated color screens 99', 100, and 101 may be arranged, with reference to colors, in spectrum sequence, or any other colors or order of colors which may be desired.

Adjustment of rheostats controlling the electric current supply to the respective proje'ctors, more fully described later, will cause a corresponding change in the intensities of the respective component primary colors of the said converged white light. Conse uently, such adjustment can be utilized to ring the said component primary colors to proper intensities to produce the converging white light, or can be utilized to disproportion the intensities of the component primary colors,

will be produced.

However, it isevident that when the rotary color screens are revolving in the path of the light beams between the said projectors and the manual color screens, the beams oflight reaching the manually operated color screens will not be white, due to the filtering effect of the colored sectors of the rotary color-screens. The light beams will therefore .betadditionally filtered, and of a great variety and complexity of colors, which is desirable for certain purposes. However, for certain other purposes, to project White light The three color through the manually operated color screen housings it will be necessary to stop the rotation of the associated rotary color screens and open the movable mounting sectors 112, associated with the same, so that the white light beams can pass through the said rotary color screens without being intercepted thereby. The rotary color screens are stoppedand their associated mounting sectors 112 opened by rotating the knob 160, in Fig. 4, as before described.

At any time while light beams are being projected through the manually operated color screen housings, whether intercepted by rotary color screens or not, the keyboard 12 may be used to manipulaiethe manually opera ed color screens so that they intercept the said light beamsthereby producing other and additional color effects which are entirely manually controlled by the operator.

It is intended in my invention that similar manually controlled color screens, and associated housings and mechanical elements, be provided for all of the projectors, the same being here omitted for simplicity of description.

Referring to Fig. 12, a housing 194 is'suspended to a projector by means of an encircling band 195. Mounted upon a shaft 196 extending from the housing 194, is an arm 197. Mounted upon the arm .197 is a sector 7 198 composed of a transparent material, such as glass, upon which opaque radial lines, of

varying spacing, have been ruled. Positioned between the housing 194 and the arm 197, and connecting the same, is a small helically wound tension spring 193 which normally holds the arm 197 against the pin 19,9-in the housing 194 sothat the part of the sector 198 whereon the opaque'lines are ruled closest will intercept the path of the light beam from the projector 81., Disposed within the housing 194 are means, such as a moving coil ammeter or measuring instrument, for exerting a torque upon the shaft 196. in accordance with the intensity and rhythm of an alternating electric current at audio frequencies. Relative high intensities of the current will move the arm 197 in a manner such that the sector 198 will be entirely out of the path of the projected light beam, or will intercept it only at that end of the sector where the opaque tively low intensities will only slightly move the arm 197, and the sector 198 will intercept the projector light beam where the opaque lines are closely spaced. Inasmuch as the opaque lines on the sector 198 out off the light which they intercept, it is evident that the mos: light will be cu. off where the opaque lines are more closely spaced. Consequently, the intensity of the light beam will vary in proportion to the intensity of the current controlling the movement of the sector 198. Rhythmic modulations of the said current will produce corresponding oscillations of the sector 198. A device similar to the foregoing is mounted upon each projector, so that all of the light beams will be affected in the manner described. (See Fig. 3).

In Fig. 5, disposed within compartments 78 and 134 is apparatus comprising a kaleidossopic projection arrangement. A. driving motor 200, in the compartment 134, is positioned so that a worm 201, rigidly mounted on the shaft 202 extending from the driving motor 200, engages a worm gear 203. The worm gear 203 is rigidly mounted u on a shaft 204. The shaft 204' is mounte in a hearing 205 situated on the bottom panel 206 of the compartment 134, and extends through the bottom panel 207 of the compartment 7 8, and is free to rotate therein. A turntable, comprising, a platform 208 composed of a transparent material, such as glass, and a peripheral retaining ring 209, is rigidly mounted upon the shaft 204. (See Fig. 2.) Positioned'above the platform 208, in the-compartment 78, is a kaleidoscopic tube 210 mounted in the supportin member 211 and free to rotate therein. belt 212 extends from a pulley 213 rigidly mounted upon the shaft 202, through an aperture 215 in the panel 207 to a pulley 214 integral with the kaleidoscopic tube 210. Rotation of the shaft 202 by the driving motor 200 will cause a corresponding rotation of the transparentplatform 208 and the kaleidoscopic tube 210.

Fig. 16, the said kaleido- In Fig. and

scopic tube is shown in more detail. Disposed within the tube 210 are three rectangu lar shaped refiectin mirrors 216, 217 and 218 arranged in the orm of an elongated hollow prism, and mounted upon members 219 as shown, with their reflecting surfaces turned towards the center of the tube 210. Both ends of the prism shaped arrangement of mirrors are open so that light reflected from variant shaped obyects and directed through the tube will be rel ccted from more than one side and give an effect of geometrical patterns. Such an arrangement is commonly used in ordinary kaleidoscopes.

Referring again to Fig. 5, an electric lamp 220 and reflector 221 are rigidly secured to a rod 222 which is. mounted in a universal mounting 223 which can be ,ad'usted in several planes. The said electric lam 220 and reflector 221 are positioned so that ight rays from the electric lamp 220 will be directed through an aperture 224 in the panel 207, and through the trans arent platform 208. A reflecting mirror 225 is rigidly secured to a rod 226 mounted in a universal mounting 227 which can be adjusted in several planes. The reflecting mirror 225, intercepting the path of the light directed through the transparent platform 208 at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees, will reflect the same through the kaleidoscopic tube 210 which is positioned approximately ninety degrees from the axis 0 the path of the light directed through the transparent platform 208. An auxiliary electric lamp 228 and reflector 229 are mounted upon the mounting 230 and positioned so that the surface of t e transparent platform 208 will be illuminated. It is evident, then, that if small objects, such as fra ments of colored glass, or colored beads,

placed upon the transparent platform 208 their illuminated images wil through the kaleidoscopic tube 210, and, when the transparent platform 208 and the kaleidoscopic tube 210 are rotated by the driving motor 200, will form a great variety of variant shaped and variant colored moving geometric patterns. A bi-convex lens 231 is mounted in the member 232, which is positioned in front of the kaleidoscopic tube 210 so that the images reflected through the same can be projected upon the screen 2 situated some distance away. A stud 235, which is integral with the member 232, extends throu h an elongated hole 233 in the panel 20 A hand nut 234 is provided for the stud 235 so that the member 232 can be secured'inv any position in the elongated hole 233, and the be reflected lens 231 correspondingly focused with reference tolthe kaleidoscopic tube 210 and the screen 2. p

In Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, a bi-convex lens 236 is positioned in a mounting ring 237. The mounting ring is pivotally mounted by means of the pivot members 238 and 239,1n a semi-circular yoke 240, the pivot member 238 extending through the yoke 240 and terminating in adpulley wheel 241 to which it is rigidly secure Rotation of the pulley wheel 241 will cause a corresponding rotation o the mounting ring 237 and lens 236 with reference to the yoke 240. The yoke 240 is rigidly secured to a spindle 242 which extends through a pulley wheel 244 and a frame 243, and is free to rotate therein. The pulley wheel 244 is rigidly secured to the frame 243. Rigidly secured to the spindle 242 is a miter gear 245, positioned as shown. Mounted upon the yoke 240, midway between the pulley wheels 241 and 244 is a bearing block 246 in which a spindle 247 is rigidly secured. Mountedupon the spindle 247, and free to independently rotate thereon, are two idler pulley wheels 248 and 249. A belt 250 is provided between the pulley wheels 241 and 244 over the idler pulley wheels 248 and 249. When the yoke 240 is turned upon the axes of the spindle 242, the pulley wheel 244,

being secured to the frame 243, will remain quentl rotate right angles. A miter gear 251 is mounted in the frame 243, so that it is free to rotate therein, and engages the corresponding miter gear 245 a The frame 243 is pivotally mounted upon the support 252 by means of a bolt 253, washer 254, and nut 255. The support 252 is secured, by means of screws 256 and 257, to the panel 258 which is the bottom panel of compartment 77. Referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the frame 243 is positioned in the compart1nent7 7 and extends through an aperture in the panel 69 so that the 'lens 236 intercepts the path of the light beam from the projector 66. link 261 is pivotally secured to the frame 243 and to an arm 262 which is rigidly secured to the worm gear 263. The worm gear is --mounted -so that it rotates in engagement with a worm 264 which is mounted upon a shaft 265 extending from adriving motor 266.

. A flexible shaft 267 is connected between the shaft 265 and the miter gear 251 in the frame 243 so that rotation of the shaft 265 will cause a corresponding rotation of the-gear 251. When the driving motor 266 rotates the worm gear 263 and the arm 262 by means of the worm 264, the coupling link 261,'in

following the rotation of the arm 262, will oscillate the frame 243 in a manner such that the lens 236 will move back and forth in the path of the light beam from the projector 66. Simultaneous with such oscillating movement, the lens -236 will berotated,

as before described, in two planes by themiter gears 245 and 251, which are mechanically connected to the shaft 265 by means of the flexible shaft 267. g It is evident, then, that the lens 236 will intercept the light beam from the projector 66 at a great variety of angles at varying positions with I'8f61 ence to the projector 66. Consequently, the said light beam will be, in effect, continually distorted, and will produce a great variety of unusual effects. A similar distorting lens arrangement may be provided for each of the other projectors so that similar distorted effects can be produced with all of the variant colored light beams, when so desired. x

In Fig. 17, which is a construction detail of the pattern machine 3, two rollers 268 and 269'are rigidly mounted upon spindles 270 and 271, respectively, which are mounted in a housing 272, as shown, and are free to rotatetherein. A pulley wheel 273 is rigidly mounted upon thespindle 270, and a spur gear 274 is rigidly mounted upon the spindle 271. A shaft 275 .is positioned below the spindle 271 in the housing 272 and is free to rotate therein. Rigidly mounted upon the shaft 275 is a pulley wheel 276, somewhat larger in diameter than pulley wheel 273, to one face of which there is rigidly secured the driven member 277' of a ratchet tooth clutch. Slidably positioned on the shaft 275 (See Fig. 3). A coupling is a collar 278 to one face of which there is rigidly secured the driving member 279 of a ratchet tooth clutch, positioned for engagement with the driven member 277. A spur gear 280, considerably smaller than the spur gear 274, is rigidly secured to the opposite face of the collar 278. A pin 281, rigidl secured to the collar 278, extends throug an elongated hole in the shaft 275 so that the 'collar 278, the spur gear 280 and the clutch member 279, associated therewith, may be moved lengthwise on the shaft 27 5 and yet remain in engagement with the same with respect to rotation. Aepulley wheel 292 is rigidly mounted upon the end of the shaft 27 5 opposite from. the pulley wheel 276' A lever 282, pivotally mounted upon the housing 272 by means of a pivot member 283,

is positioned so that one end 284 of the lever. 282 will engage in a peripheral channel. in the collar 278. When'the other end 285 of the lever 282, which extends through an aperture 286 in the housing 272, is moved, the collar 278 will he slid lengthwise on the shaft 275and the spur gear 280 associated therewith, will be disr-ngaged from the spur gear 274, and the clutch member 279 will engage with the clutch member 277, or vice versa according to the direction of the movement of the lever 282. A shaft 287, extending from a driving motor 288 positioned in the .lower part of the housing 27 2, is mounted in the housing 272, as shown, and is free to rotate therein. Rigidly secured to the shaft 287 is a pulley wheel 289. Belts 290 and 291 are provided between-the pulley wheels273 and 276, and 289 and 292.

It is intendedthat patterns, such as pattern 310 .in Fig. 1, be secured to the rollers 268 and 269 so that the same may be wound from one roller to the other. These patterns are substantially long pieces of flexible opaque material, which has been cut out in variant shapes, or long pieces of flexibletransparent material upon which variant opaque shapes have been'secured.

In starting position, the major part of the pattern will be reeled upon the roller 268,

and the mechanical elements of the pattern machine will be in the same relative position as shown in Fig. 17. The motor 288, then,

when started, will rotate the shaft 275 by means of the belt 291 and the pulleys 289 and 292. so that the spur gear 280, being in engagement with'the spur gear 274, will rotate the roller 269 in the direction indicated by the arrow 311 winding the pattern thereon from the roller 268 across the intervening space and intercepting the path of the variant colored light beams so as to form correv sponding shapes and patterns.

When the pattern hasbeen wound as far as possible on the roller 269, the lever 282 may then be shifted so that the spur gears 274 and 280 will be disengaged, and the clutch members 277 and 279 engaged, thereby rotating roller 268 in the direction indicated by the arrow 293, by means of the pulleys 273 and 276, and belt 290 associated therewith, while the roller 269 idles. The pattern then, will be wound back on to roller 268. lVhen the pattern has been wound as far as possible on the roller 268, the lever 282 can again be shifted, and the entire winding process repeated as before. However, due to differences in size of the rotating driving elements, it is evident that the pattern will be slowly wound upon the roller 269, whereas it will be comparatively quickly wound upon the roller 268. Inasmuch as it is generally desirable, in projecting light beams through the pattern machine, to'have the pattern always moving slowly in one direction this difference in speed of winding directions makes it possible to quickly re-wind the pattern after it has slowl run through in one direction.

In ig. 18, the driving motors 56, 266, 135, 200, and 288 are connected in arallel to a suitable source of current supp y having an input at the terminals 294. The motors 56, 266, 135, 200, and 288, are controlled by switches 37, 41, 39, 43, and 16, and by the rheostats 36, 40, 38, 42, and 15, respectivel so that the said motors can be selective y stopped and started and regulated as to spee across the current supply line of the motor 135 so that the direction of rotation of the said motor can be reversed. The projectors 64, 65. 66, 119;:118, and 81, are connected in parallel to a suitable source of current supp lly having an input at the terminals 296. e projectors 64, 65, 66, 119, 118, and 81 are controlled by switches 26, 30, 34, 28, 32, and 35, and by the rheostats 25, 29, 33, 27, 31, and 18, respectively, so that the light source in each projector may be selectively turned off and on. and regulated as to intensity. The kaleidoscopic lamps 220 and 228 are connected in parallel to the source of current supply havin an input at the terminals 296, and contro led by the switch 19 so that the said lamps can be turned on and off.

A motor generator set 297, provided as a source of electrical supply for operation of the radio receiving set 8 and electric phonograph 9, is connected in parallel, on the input side, to the source of current supply having an input at the terminals 294, and is controlled by the switch 22 so that the motor generator set may be stopped and started. The radio receiving set 8 and the electric phonograph 9 are connected in parallel to the output current supply of the motor generator set 297. Switches 298 and 299 are'provided for selectively opening and closing the said current supply circuit to the radio receiving set 8 and the electric phonograph 9. The radio receiving set 8 comprises a selective tuning arrangement, several stages of A reversing switch 295 is shuntedradio frequency amplification, a detector, and several auxiliar stages of audio frequency amplification. he remote control panel 13 is electrically connected to the radio receiving set 8 b the remote control cable 312, so that the selective tunin arrangement in the radio receiving set can e operated from the housing 1 of the pro'ection machine. (See Fig. 1.) A wired ra io carrier line, a space ra io antennae system, or other source of radio frequency signals, is connected to the input terminals 313 of the radio receiving set. The light intercepting devices 194 asso-.-

ciated with'the projectors 64, 65, 66, 119, 118, and 81, and which are actuated by audio frequency currents, are connected in parallel to the audio frequency output terminals 301 of the radio receiving set 8. A loud speaker 10 is connected to a double pole switch 17 which is, in turn, connected to the output terminals 302 of the electrical phonogra h 9, and to the audio frequency output 0 the radio receiving set 8, so that the loud speaker 10 can be alternately used for the reproduction of sound from either source. Rheostats 20 and 21 are providedfor controlling the output volume of the electric phonograph 9 and the radio receiving set 8, respectivel The operation of the embodiment 0 my invention, further than has been described in the foregoing, is given in what follows:

The person who operates the projection machine positions himself in front of the housing 1, so that he has access to the keyboard 12 and the controlling elements adjacent thereto.

Referring to Fig. 1, the projectors 64, 65,

66, 119, 118, and 81 in the housing '1 are adjusted with reference to direction, by means of the knobs 48, 46, 44,49, 47, and 45, respectively so that overlapping light beams are projected upon the screen 2. The rotary color screens, then, intercepting the path of-these light beams at difierent rotating speeds, will cause these beams to be of variant colors which change at a rate which is not uniform,

the overlapping portions of the beams being ich are rcsultants of the super- The projectors may be inof colors w imposed colors.

dividually turned on and off, and regulated as to intensity of light beam projection, by the associated rheo'stats. To project these beams upon the screen 2, it is necessary to raise the shutters 176 associated with each of the manual color screen housings, by means of\ the knob 192, so that the light beams can be projected through the same. In addition to the variant colors obtainable by intercepting the light beams with the rotary co or screens, further effects can be obtained by manipulating the manual color screens by means of the keyboard 12 so as to selectively choose any one or more of the said color screipns and intercept the light beams therewit To project, upon the screen 2, light beams the colors of which are entirely determined by manual operation, it is necessary to stop the rotation of the rotary color screens, by turning the knob 160 and open the movable color sector in each oi the same so that white light can pass through without being filtered.

At the same time, the shutters 176 associated with each of the manual color screen housings should be lowered, by means of the knob 192. The shutters 17 6will then prevent light from passing through the color screen housings except when a manual color screen is raised to intercept the light. The operator can then control the coloreffects entirely by manipulation of the keyboard 12.

Inasmuch as more than one color screen may simultaneously intercept the light beam from one projector, it is thereby possible to obtain other superimposed color combina tions, in addition to those produced by the overlapping colored light beams.

\Vhen white light beams are being pro-' jected through the manual color screen housings, the shutters 176 may be raised, by means of the knob 192, and special color effects ob tained, without employing'either the rotary color screens or manual colors'creens, by regula'ting the rheostats associated with each projector so as to vary the intensity of the light beams projected through the color screens 177. (See Fig. 8.) Inasmuch as the color screens 177 associated with the several manual color screen housings are primary colors will be unbalanced so as to decrease or' increase one or more of the colors to produce delicate tints and fine gradations and variations of color shading.

Toproduce unusual and extremely varied color shapes upon the screen 2, the distorting lens, in compartment 77 in Fig. 2, may be set in motion by starting the associated driving motor. The variant colored light beams intercepted thereby will then be continually distorted.

The kaleidoscopic projection arrangement in compartment 78 may also be brought into use by closing the circuits to the associated lamps and driving motor. A great variety of moving geometric patterns, corresponding in shape and color to the objects placed upon the kaleidoscopic transparent platform, will be projected upon the screen 2.

,The pattern machine 3 and the associated shielding 50, in Fig. 1, are adapted to be readily positioned for operationwhen desired by the operator. The pattern may then be used in a stationary position, or the associated driving motor may be started so as to move the pattern across the path of the variupon the said turntable and used in a stationary position, or rotatedgby the associated driving motor, to intercept the variant colored light beams, at variant angles, to form a great variety of shapes and shadows upon the screen 2.

All ofthe driving motors are selectively i controlled so that they may be started and stopped at will and varied as to speed of rotation. Consequently, any of the elements which are driven by motors may be individually and selectively controlled as to relative speed, or used stationary. In the event that an especially desirable color or pattern is cast upon the screen, the driving motors can be immediately stopped so as to retain that particular color or pattern. The driving motor which revolves-the rotary color screens is provided with a reversing switch, and the driving mechanism of the pattern machine 3 is provided with a direction reversing clutch, by means of which it is possible to reverse the order of formation of colors and patterns, thereby making it-possible to cause the immediate return of any especially desirable color or pattern which has been replaced by other formations before it has been possible to stop the driving motors.

Simultaneous with the formation of color effects and patterns on the screen 2, it is possible to produce accompanying sound effects,

which may be of a nature sympathetic to the color effects, through the agency of the loud 1 speaker 10 which can be selectively connected to either the electrical phonograph 9, or the radio receiving set 8. At the same time, the variant coloredlight beams will be rhythmically affected as to intensity by light inter cepting devices, positioned upon each projector, which are actuated in accordance with the modulated audio frequency currents from the radio receiving set.

Permanent records of the color effects and patterns may he made by the employment of any of the commonly used methods of color photography. For v recording occasional colorformations, the moving elements may be stopped, as hereinbefore provided, and a color photograph made of the screen 2, whereas, if a continuous record of all of the effects presented to the eye is desired, a color motion picture may be made of the same.

In Fig. 19, a diagonal row of projectors 

